Odds are, you’ve heard of Nutella. It’s been part of some breakfast tables for years, and when I was as young as 8, I remember watching in awe as friends ate it on their toast. My mom would never let me eat Nutella for breakfast. She thought chocolate on toast was a bit much.
But Nutella isn’t a ‘chocolate’ spread at all, although it really does taste like it. Created in the 1940s by a pastry chef from Italy, Mr.Pietro Ferrero, Nutella was the answer to the chocolate shortage. There was very little chocolate to be had during World War II rationing, and Mr.Ferrero decided to use hazelnuts to extend his chocolate supply. The result was a hazelnut spread that was imported into the U.S. and has just grown in popularity since.
Some people have loved Nutella for years, while others are just catching onto it now. We may be seeing a Nutella explosion because foodies everywhere have begun experimenting with it, and you can’t deny it’s hit the mainstream in a big way when you see Nutella donuts show up at Tim Hortons.
So what are you waiting for? Everyone should spend a little time experimenting with Nutella. Here’s a few great Nutella recipes for you to try today.
Choc-banana Toasties 
Nutella on toast is a great place to start experimenting with Nutella, and if you’re just putting a bit on whole wheat toast you’re really missing out. I love raisin bread on it’s own, but grill it up with a dash of Nutella and some bananas and you have a little piece of heaven on earth. Photo and recipe from taste.com.
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Ingredients: 4 slices of raisin bread 2 teaspoons Nutella 1 large banana, sliced |
Directions
Preheat a sandwich maker. Spread one side of 4 slices raisin bread with butter. Spread the other side of each slice with Nutella.
Place 2 slices of bread, butter-side down, in the sandwich maker. Top with banana. Top with remaining bread, butter-side up. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until golden. Set aside for 2 minutes to cool slightly. Cut into quarters to serve.
Nutella Glazed Donuts 
There is absolutely no reason why you need to eat a plain donut when it’s so easy to make Nutella glazed donuts. I made these recently and they literally melted in our mouthes. Check out the Vine video below for how I did it. Recipe from cookingclassy.com.
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Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 cup granulated sugar 3 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar 1/3 cup Nutella 3 Tbsp butter, softened 1 large egg 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 cup milk Glaze 1 cup powdered sugar 2 1/2 Tbsp Nutella 4 – 6 tsp milk 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Chopped, toasted hazelnuts or sprinkles, for topping (optional) |
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt for 30 seconds, set aside.
In a separate mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set on medium-low speed, whip together granulated sugar, light-brown sugar, Nutella and butter until well blended, about 20 seconds.
Stir in egg and vanilla. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula and working in three separate batches, add 1/3 of the flour mixture alternating with half of the milk, mixing and folding just until combined after each addition and beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Divide batter among greased doughnut pans filling each about 3/4 full (I got 9). Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into doughnut comes out clean, about 7 – 9 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes, then run a butter knife around edges to loosen and invert onto wire rack and allow to cool completely.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 1/2 Tbsp Nutella, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth, then spread Nutella glaze over tops of doughnuts. Top with sprinkles or chopped hazelnuts and allow glaze to set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutella Krispy Treats 
When I saw these Nutella Krispy Treats featured on Buzz Feed, I knew I had to try them, and after making them I probably won’t go back to the old way. Adding Nutella actually makes them almost decadent. Recipe and photo from chefintraining.com.
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Ingredients: 6 cups Rice Krispy Cereal 1 (10.5 oz) bag mini marshmallows 1/4 cup butter 1 heaping cup Nutella TOPPING – 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips 1 cup Nutella 1 Tbsp. shortening |
Directions
Measure out Rice Krispies cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and marshmallows together until smooth.
Once marshmallows and butter have melted together add Nutella and stir until well combined.
Pour marshmallow mixture over the cereal. Stir to coat evenly. Press into a greased pan.
To make topping, heat Nutella, chocolate chips and shortening in a medium sauce pan over medium-medium low heat until smooth. Spread over the top of Rice Krispy Treats.
Stick in the fridge and let it set up. Once they have set, cut into them and eat up!
I think it’s safe to say I’ll be experimenting with Nutella for a long time to come. It really does make everything taste better! If you have a favourite Nutella recipe, be sure to share it in the comments. In the meantime, check out my favourite kitchen appliances to use for making Nutella recipes.
 You can make nutella donuts with your own donut pan |
 Grill up a choco-banana sandwich with a sandwich maker |
 Make your own Nutella glaze with a handy double broiler |
